California (Web Desk): If you have ever used WhatsApp on an office computer, a friend’s laptop, or another device and forgotten to log out of your account, another person could gain access to your private conversations.
WhatsApp’s “Linked Devices” feature allows users to connect their accounts to computers, tablets, or other phones in addition to their primary phone. However, leaving an old or unknown device connected to the account can pose a privacy risk.
How to Check the List of Linked Devices?
On an Android phone, open WhatsApp, tap the three dots in the upper-right corner, and select “Linked Devices.” iPhone users can go to “Settings” and open “Linked Devices.”
This section displays a list of all devices connected to your WhatsApp account.
What to Do If You See an Unknown Device?
If you see a computer, phone, or another device on the list that you do not recognize, do not ignore it. Select the relevant device and choose “Log Out,” after which access to your WhatsApp account from that device will be removed.
The appearance of an unknown device does not necessarily mean that the account has been hacked. It is possible that the user previously linked WhatsApp on a shared, office, or friend’s computer and later forgot to log out.
However, if a device appears on the list that you have never used, it should be taken seriously, because even briefly having your phone in another person’s possession can be enough to link a new device to the account.
Ways to Keep WhatsApp Secure
Users should regularly review the “Linked Devices” section and immediately log out of any unfamiliar device.
Do not enter a verification or linking code at the instruction of a stranger, and do not accept a request to link a device unless you initiated the process yourself.
To protect your WhatsApp account, it is also important to use biometric lock on your phone, keep “Two-Step Verification” enabled, and always log out of WhatsApp after using a shared or office computer.